The College of Charleston men’s basketball team will face the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) Seahawks in a key Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) matchup on Monday, February 9. The game, which will take place at TD Arena in Charleston at 8:00 p.m., is significant as the winner will hold sole possession of first place in the conference standings with one month left in league play.
Charleston holds an 18-23 record all-time against UNCW. Their most recent meeting was during last season’s CAA Semifinals, where UNCW narrowly won 68-67.
The Cougars enter this contest after a 78-62 win over North Carolina A&T, marking their largest margin of victory in a CAA game this season. Head coach Chris Mack earned his 40th win at Charleston with that result. Under Mack, the program is undefeated (5-0) in league games decided by five points or fewer.
Christian Reeves and Jlynn Counter each scored 16 points against North Carolina A&T. Reeves also contributed six rebounds and shot efficiently from the field, while Counter added six assists to his conference-leading total. Graduate student Connor Hickman recorded a career-high six steals during the game.
Jlynn Counter recently received CAA Player of the Week honors after averaging 25 points, 6.5 rebounds, and eight assists per game during wins over Hofstra and Northeastern. He posted back-to-back double-doubles for only the second and third times in his career and has now won three weekly conference awards this season.
Charleston ranks among national leaders in several statistical categories: they are 33rd in free throw attempts per game (24.9), 35th in free throws made per game (18.3), and also rank 35th nationally in defensive rebounds per game (27.25). Individually, Chol Machot is fifth nationally with 62 total blocks and eighth with an average of 2.58 blocks per game.
All five starters—Counter, Hickman, Martin Kalu, Colby Duggan, and Reeves—are currently averaging double-digit points per game.
Fans attending Monday’s contest are encouraged to wear white as part of a “White Out” event at TD Arena; limited edition t-shirts will be distributed to those present.
Doors open one-and-a-half hours before tip-off; concessions open when doors do, while the Cougar Spirit Shop opens one hour prior to tip-off. Fans are advised to add tickets to their mobile wallets for easier entry and review the arena’s Clear Bag Policy. An ADA drop-off lane is available along Meeting Street next to TD Arena.
Alcohol sales inside TD Arena require valid ID scanning for each transaction; vertical IDs are not accepted regardless of age. Each customer may purchase no more than two alcoholic beverages per transaction.
A new security measure requires fans entering through the main entrance on Meeting Street to pass through walk-through magnetometers (metal detectors). Attendees must remove items from their pockets before passing through these devices; compliant bags can be used for personal belongings.
Monday’s matchup will air live on CBS Sports Network with Dave Ryan and Dalen Cuff providing commentary. Audio coverage is available via the Varsity App with Everett German and Danny Johnson calling the action.
